Holding device for holding an electronic component

ABSTRACT

A holding device includes a seat, a deformable member, an electrical connector, and a force-imparting member. The seat defines an accommodating space therein, and serves to hold an electronic module that extends into the accommodating space. The deformable member is disposed in the accommodating space. The electrical connector has a first end attached to the deformable member, and a second end coupled to the testing apparatus. The force-imparting member is connected to the seat, and is operable so as to deform elastically the deformable member to a contact position, where the first end of the electrical connector is in contact with electrical contacts of the electronic module, thereby permitting the testing apparatus to perform tests on the electronic module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese application no. 093214721, filed on Sep. 15, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a holding device, more particularly to a holding device, which holds an electronic component that is to be tested by a testing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional holding device that includes a seat 21, a clamping unit 22, a pair of electrical connectors 23, and a hydraulic driving unit 24. With further reference to FIG. 2, the conventional holding device serves to hold a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) 1 that is to be tested by a testing apparatus (not shown). The DIMM 1 includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of integrated circuits mounted on the printed circuit board, a first set of pins 13, which are coupled to the integrated circuits and which are disposed on one side of the printed circuit board, and a second set of pins 14, which are coupled to the integrated circuits and which are disposed on the other side of the printed circuit board. The seat 21 includes a pair of jaws 211, and defines an accommodating space 213. The first and second sets of pins 13, 14 of the DIMM 1 are disposed in the accommodating space 213 when the DIMM 1 is clenched between the jaws 211 of the seat 21. The clamping unit 22 is disposed in the accommodating space 213 in the seat 21, and includes a pair of clamps 221 that are operable so as to clamp the first and second sets of pins 13, 14 of the DIMM 1 when the latter is inserted into the accommodating space 213 in the seat 21. Each of the electrical connectors 23 has first and second ends 232, 233, each of which has a set of electrical contacts. The first end 232 of each of the electrical connectors 23 is connected detachably to a respective one of the clamps 221 of the clamping unit 22. The second ends 233 of the electrical connectors 23 are connected removably to the testing apparatus. The hydraulic driving unit 24 controls the operation of the clamps 221 of the clamping unit 22. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first end 232 of each of the electrical connectors 23 is in contact with a respective one of the first and second sets of pins 13, 14 of the DIMM 1 when the clamps 221 of the clamping unit 22 are operated by the hydraulic driving unit 24, thereby permitting the testing apparatus to perform tests on the DIMM 1.

Although the aforementioned conventional holding device achieves its intended purpose, the hydraulic driving unit 24 generates undesirable noise. Moreover, since the first ends 232 of the electrical connectors 23 are brought into contact with the first and second sets of pins 13, 14 of the DIMM 1 by means of clamping, the first ends 232 of the electrical connectors 23 are easily damaged, thereby requiring frequent replacement of the electrical connectors 23. Further, since the DIMM 1 is subjected to high temperatures during soldering of the integrated circuits on the printed circuit board, deformation of the DIMM 1 occurs. As such, since the clamps 221 of the clamping unit 22 are rigid, the first ends 232 of the electrical connectors 23 may not be properly brought into contact with the first and second sets of pins 13, 14 of the deformed DIMM 1, thereby making the test results inaccurate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a holding device that can overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the present invention, a holding device, which is for a testing apparatus, comprises a seat, a deformable member, an electrical connector, and a force-imparting member. The seat defines an accommodating space therein, and is adapted to hold an electronic module that extends into the accommodating space in the seat and that is to be tested by the testing apparatus. The deformable member is disposed in the accommodating space in the seat. The electrical connector has a first end attached to the deformable member, and a second end adapted to be coupled to the testing apparatus. The force-imparting member is connected to the seat, and is operable so as to impart a pushing force on the deformable member such that the deformable member deforms elastically to a contact position, where the first end of the electrical connector is in contact with electrical contacts of the electronic module when the electronic module is held by the seat and extends into the accommodating space in the seat, thereby permitting the testing apparatus to perform tests on the electronic module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional holding device;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic views of the conventional holding device in a state of use;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of a holding device according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary sectional views of the first preferred embodiment in a state of use; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the second preferred embodiment of a holding device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first preferred embodiment of a holding device 3 according to this invention is shown to include a seat 4, a pair of first and second deformable members 51, 52, a pair of first and second electrical connectors 61, 62, and a pneumatic driving unit 7.

The holding device 3 of this embodiment serves to hold removably a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) 1 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) that is to be tested by a testing apparatus 200. The DIMM 1 includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of integrated circuits mounted on the printed circuit board, a first set of electrical contacts 13, each of which is coupled to the integrated circuits and is disposed on one side of the printed circuit board, and a second set of electrical contacts 14, each of which is coupled to the integrated circuits and is disposed on the other side of the printed circuit board. The testing apparatus 200 is installed with test software for executing tests apparatus 200 on the DIMM 1.

With further reference to FIG. 6, the seat 4 includes a pair of jaws 41, and defines an accommodating space (S) therein. The first and second sets of electrical contacts 13, 14 of the DIMM 1 are disposed in the accommodating space (S) of the seat 4 when the DIMM 1 is clenched between the jaws 41 of the seat 4.

Each of the first and second deformable members 51, 52 is disposed in the accommodating space (S) in the seat 4. In this embodiment, each of the first and second deformable members 51, 52 is made from a plastic material.

Each of the first and second electrical connectors 61, 62 has a first end 611, 621 that is secured detachably to a respective one of the first and second deformable members 51, 52, and a second end 612, 622 that is connected electrically to the testing apparatus 200. In this embodiment, each of the first and second electrical connectors 61, 62 is a ribbon connector.

The pneumatic driving unit 7 is connected to the seat 4, and includes a pair of first and second nozzles 71, 72 that are in fluid communication with the accommodating space (S) in the seat 4, and a pair of first and second pneumatic controllers 73, 74, each of which is connected to a respective one of the nozzles 71, 72 of the pneumatic driving unit 7. It is noted that each of the pneumatic controllers 73, 74 includes a Venturi tube. In this embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 6, the first pneumatic controller 73 of the pneumatic driving unit 7 is operable so as to impart a pushing force, such as by blowing, on the first deformable member 51 through the first nozzle 71 of the pneumatic driving unit 7 such that the first deformable member 51 deforms elastically from a first initial position to a first contact position, where the first end 611 of the first electrical connector 61 is in direct contact with the first set of electrical contacts 13 of the DIMM 1. On the other hand, the second pneumatic controller 74 of the pneumatic driving unit 7 is operable so as to impart a force, such as by blowing air, on the second deformable member 52 through the second nozzle 72 such that the second deformable member 52 deforms elastically from a second initial position to a second contact position, where the first end 621 of the second electrical connector 62 is in direct contact with the second set of electrical contacts 14 of the DIMM 1. In this state, the testing apparatus 200 is able to perform tests on the DIMM 1.

It is noted that, when the first and second electrical connectors 61, 62 are at first and second original positions, respectively, as best shown in FIG. 4, the first ends 611, 621 of the first and second electrical connectors 61, 62 are not in contact with the first and second sets of electrical contacts 13, 14 of the DIMM 1.

In this embodiment, with further reference to FIG. 7, the first pneumatic controller 73 of the pneumatic driving unit 7 is further operable so as to impart a pulling force, by suction, on the first deformable member 51 through the first nozzle 71 such that the first deformable member 51 deforms elastically from the first contact position to a first non-contact position, where the first end 611 of the first electrical connector 61 is not in contact with the first set of electrical contacts 13 of the DIMM 1. The second vacuum 74 of the pneumatic driving unit 7 is further operable so as to impart a force, by suction, on the second deformable member 52 through the second nozzle 72 such that the second deformable member 52 deforms elastically from the second contact position to a second non-contact position, where the first end 621 of the second electrical connector 62 is not in contact with the second set of electrical contacts 14 of the DIMM 1. It is noted that, when the first and second deformable members 61, 62 are disposed at the first and second non-contact positions, respectively, the DIMM 1 may be replaced by another DIMM 1. In another embodiment, when replacing the DIMM 1, the first and second vacuums 73, 74 are disabled so as to dispose the first and second electrical connectors 61, 62 at the first and second original positions, respectively.

FIG. 8 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of a holding device 3 according to this invention. When compared to the previous embodiment, the holding device 3 of this embodiment serves to hold a single in-line memory module (SIMM) (not shown). The SIMM includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of integrated circuits mounted on the printed circuit board, and a set of electrical contacts, each of which is coupled to the integrated circuits and is disposed on one side of the printed circuit board. The second deformable member 52 (see FIG. 4), the second electrical connector 62 (see FIG. 4), and the second vacuum 74 (see FIG. 4) and the second nozzle 72 (see FIG. 4) of the pneumatic driving unit 7 of the previous embodiment are dispensed with in this embodiment. Since the operation of the holding device 3 of this embodiment is similar to that described hereinabove in connection with the holding device 3 of the previous embodiment, a detailed description of the same will be dispensed with herein for the sake of brevity.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A holding device for a testing apparatus, comprising: a seat defining an accommodating space therein, and adapted to hold an electronic module that extends into said accommodating space in said seat and that is to be tested by the testing apparatus; a deformable member disposed in said accommodating space in said seat; an electrical connector having a first end attached to said deformable member, and a second end adapted to be coupled to the testing apparatus; and a force-imparting member connected to said seat, and operable so as to impart a pushing force on said deformable member such that said deformable member deforms elastically to a contact position, where said first end of said electrical connector is in contact with electrical contacts of the electronic module when the electronic module is held by said seat and extends into said accommodating space in said seat, thereby permitting the testing apparatus to perform tests on the electronic module.
 2. The holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seat includes a pair of jaws adapted to secure the electronic module therebetween.
 3. The holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said force-imparting member is a pneumatic driving unit for elastically deforming said deformable member by blowing, said pneumatic driving unit including a nozzle that is in fluid communication with said accommodating space in said seat, and a pneumatic controller that is connected to said nozzle.
 4. The holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said force-imparting member is further operable so as to impart a pulling force on said deformable member such that said deformable member deforms elastically to a non-contact position, where said first end of said electrical connector is not in contact with the electrical contacts of the electronic module.
 5. The holding device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said force-imparting member is a pneumatic driving unit for elastically deforming said deformable member by suction, said pneumatic driving unit including a nozzle that is in fluid communication with said accommodating space in said seat, and a pneumatic controller that is connected to said nozzle. 